Violence erupts as East Bengal-Mohun Bagan match called off

The mecca of Indian soccer today made headlines when the marquee I-League clash between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan had to be called off after the unruly crowd present at the Salt Lake stadium went out of control.

Down 0-1, Mohun Bagan midfielder Syed Rahim Nabi had to be hospitalised in the half time after being hit on the face by a missile, forcing the team management to come off the field in the second half.

It all started after East Bengal drew the first blood through Harmanjot Khabra in the 43rd minute from a Mehtab Hossain freekick.

The highly charged-up game snowballed into madness soon after Mohun Bagan's star player Okolie Odafa was sent off by referee Vishnu Chauhan for showing dissent.

As soon as the Nigerian was sent off, Mohun Bagan fans started to hurl missiles, one of them hitting Nabi's face.

There was more drama in store when Mohun Bagan left the field, forcing the match to be called off.